Maundy Thursday and Good Friday 2014 Worship Liturgy

 

Maundy Thursday, April 17, 2014 – 10 AM: Pasig Covenant Reformed Church
Good Friday, April 18, 2014 – 10 AM: Trinity Covenant Reformed Church, Imus, Cavite

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The Passion of the Christ According to Isaiah 53

Preparation

* Call to Worship: Psalm 22:23-28

* Invocation: Psalm 124:8

* God’s Greeting: Romans 1:7

* Opening Prayer

* Opening Hymn: Ah, Dearest Jesus, How Has Thou Offended #351: 1-3 (J. Heermann, 1630)

Confession of Sin

Almighty, eternal God and Father, we confess and acknowledge unto Thee that we were conceived in unrighteousness and are full of sin and transgression in all our life. We do not fully believe Thy Word nor follow Thy holy commandments. Remember Thy goodness, we beseech Thee, and for Thy Name’s sake be gracious unto us, and forgive us our iniquity which, alas, is great.

Beneath the cross of Christ, we come to know that ours is the guilt, but Thine the forgiveness; ours the condemnation, but Thine the gift of justification; ours the bondage, yet Thine the freedom of adoption and new obedience. Even the faith with which we confess our dear Savior’s sacrifice was won for us by his death. Therefore, we cry out to Thee in sorrow for our sins and in thanksgiving for Thy gift. Give us the grace, we pray, to receive again this word of the cross, which alone can refresh us on our pilgrim way, and send us out again into the world as witnesses to “the Lamb of God who takes away the sin of the world” (John 1:29). (from Strasbourg Liturgy, 1539)

Lesson One: “He had no form or majesty or beauty”

Isaiah 53:1; John 12:37-38; Romans 10:15-17; Luke 23:34

Who has believed what he has heard from us? And to whom has the arm of the LORD been revealed? (Isaiah 53:1)

Though he had done so many signs before them, they still did not believe in him, so that the word spoken by the prophet Isaiah might be fulfilled: “Lord, who has believed what he heard from us, and to whom has the arm of the Lord been revealed?” (John 12:37-38)

And how are they to preach unless they are sent? As it is written, “How beautiful are the feet of those who preach the good news!” But they have not all obeyed the gospel. For Isaiah says, “Lord, who has believed what he has heard from us?” So faith comes from hearing, and hearing through the word of Christ. (Romans 10:15-17)

And Jesus said, “Father, forgive them, for they know not what they do.” And they cast lots to divide his garments. (Luke 23:34)

Isaiah 53:2; Luke 22:63-65; John 19:1-5

For he grew up before him like a young plant, and like a root out of dry ground; he had no form or majesty that we should look at him, and no beauty that we should desire him. (Isaiah 53:2)

Now the men who were holding Jesus in custody were mocking him as they beat him. They also blindfolded him and kept asking him, “Prophesy! Who is it that struck you?” And they said many other things against him, blaspheming him. (Luke 22:63-65)

Then Pilate took Jesus and flogged him. And the soldiers twisted together a crown of thorns and put it on his head and arrayed him in a purple robe. They came up to him, saying, “Hail, King of the Jews!” and struck him with their hands. Pilate went out again and said to them, “See, I am bringing him out to you that you may know that I find no guilt in him.” So Jesus came out, wearing the crown of thorns and the purple robe. Pilate said to them, “Behold the man!” (John 19:1-5)

Psalm: Save Me, O God #126:1-3, 6 (from Psalm 69)

Lesson Two: “He was despised and rejected by men”

* Isaiah 53:3; Luke 22:41-42; John 1:10-11; Matthew 27:28-30; Luke 23:39-43

He was despised and rejected by men; a man of sorrows, and acquainted with grief; and as one from whom men hide their faces he was despised, and we esteemed him not. (Isaiah 53:3)

And he withdrew from them about a stone’s throw, and knelt down and prayed, saying, “Father, if you are willing, remove this cup from me. Nevertheless, not my will, but yours, be done.” (Luke 22:41-42)

He was in the world, and the world was made through him, yet the world did not know him. He came to his own, and his own people did not receive him. (John 1:10-11)

And they stripped him and put a scarlet robe on him, and twisting together a crown of thorns, they put it on his head and put a reed in his right hand. And kneeling before him, they mocked him, saying, “Hail, King of the Jews!” And they spit on him and took the reed and struck him on the head. (Matthew 27:28-30)

One of the criminals who were hanged railed at him, saying, “Are you not the Christ? Save yourself and us!” But the other rebuked him, saying, “Do you not fear God, since you are under the same sentence of condemnation? And we indeed justly, for we are receiving the due reward of our deeds; but this man has done nothing wrong.” And he said, “Jesus, remember me when you come into your kingdom.” And he said to him, “Truly, I say to you, today you will be with me in Paradise.” (Luke 23:39-43)

* Hymn: “Alas! And Did My Savior Bleed” (Isaac Watts, 1707) #352:1-4

Lesson Three: “He was pierced for our transgressions”

Isaiah 53:4; Matthew 8:16-17

Surely he has borne our griefs and carried our sorrows; yet we esteemed him stricken, smitten by God, and afflicted. (Isaiah 53:4)

That evening they brought to him many who were oppressed by demons, and he cast out the spirits with a word and healed all who were sick. This was to fulfill what was spoken by the prophet Isaiah: “He took our illnesses and bore our diseases.” (Matthew 8:16-17)

Isaiah 53:5; Luke 2:34-35; John 19:26-27, 33-37; 1 Peter 2:24

Minister: But he was pierced for our transgressions; he was crushed for our iniquities; upon him was the chastisement that brought us peace, and with his wounds we are healed. (Isaiah 53:5)

People: And Simeon blessed them and said to Mary his mother, “Behold, this child is appointed for the fall and rising of many in Israel, and for a sign that is opposed (and a sword will pierce through your own soul also), so that thoughts from many hearts may be revealed.” (Luke 2:34-35)

M: When Jesus saw his mother and the disciple whom he loved standing nearby, he said to his mother, “Woman, behold, your son!” Then he said to the disciple, “Behold, your mother!” And from that hour the disciple took her to his own home. (John 19:26-27)

P: But when they came to Jesus and saw that he was already dead, they did not break his legs. But one of the soldiers pierced his side with a spear, and at once there came out blood and water.

M: For these things took place that the Scripture might be fulfilled: “Not one of his bones will be broken.” And again another Scripture says, “They will look on him whom they have pierced.” (John 19:33-37)

ALL: He himself bore our sins in his body on the tree, that we might die to sin and live to righteousness. By his wounds you have been healed. (1 Peter 2:24)

Hymn: Lord Jesus, Can It Ever Be? #457:1, 2, 4 (Joseph Grigg, 1765)

Lesson Four: “Like a lamb that is led to a slaughter”

Isaiah 53:6; John 10:11; 1 Peter 2:25; 2 Corinthians 5:21

All we like sheep have gone astray; we have turned—every one—to his own way; and the LORD has laid on him the iniquity of us all. (Isaiah 53:6)

I am the good shepherd. The good shepherd lays down his life for the sheep. (John 10:11)

For you were straying like sheep, but have now returned to the Shepherd and Overseer of your souls. (1 Peter 2:25)

For our sake he made him to be sin who knew no sin, so that in him we might become the righteousness of God. (2 Corinthians 5:21)

* Isaiah 53:7; John 1:29; 19:9; 1 Peter 2:23; Psalm 22:1; Matthew 27:46

He was oppressed, and he was afflicted, yet he opened not his mouth; like a lamb that is led to the slaughter, and like a sheep that before its shearers is silent, so he opened not his mouth. (Isaiah 53:7)

The next day he saw Jesus coming toward him, and said, “Behold, the Lamb of God, who takes away the sin of the world! (John 1:29)

He entered his headquarters again and said to Jesus, “Where are you from?” But Jesus gave him no answer. (John 19:9)

When he was reviled, he did not revile in return; when he suffered, he did not threaten, but continued entrusting himself to him who judges justly. (1 Peter 2:23)

My God, my God, why have you forsaken me? Why are you so far from saving me, from the words of my groaning? (Psalm 22:1)

And about the ninth hour Jesus cried out with a loud voice, saying, “Eli, Eli, lema sabachthani?” that is, “My God, my God, why have you forsaken me?” (Matthew 27:46)

* Psalm: My God, My God, I Cry to Thee (from Psalm 22) #34:1, 8, 10

Lesson Five: “He was cut off out of the land of the living”

Isaiah 53:8; Romans 4:24-25; Colossians 2:13-14; John 19:28

By oppression and judgment he was taken away; and as for his generation, who considered that he was cut off out of the land of the living, stricken for the transgression of my people? (Isaiah 53:8)

It will be counted to us who believe in him who raised from the dead Jesus our Lord, who was delivered up for our trespasses and raised for our justification. (Romans 4:24-25)

And you, who were dead in your trespasses and the uncircumcision of your flesh, God made alive together with him, having forgiven us all our trespasses, by canceling the record of debt that stood against us with its legal demands. This he set aside, nailing it to the cross. (Colossians 2:13-14)

After this, Jesus, knowing that all was now finished, said (to fulfill the Scripture), “I thirst.” (John 19:28)

Isaiah 53:9; Matthew 27:57-60; 1 Peter 2:22

And they made his grave with the wicked and with a rich man in his death, although he had done no violence, and there was no deceit in his mouth. (Isaiah 53:9)

When it was evening, there came a rich man from Arimathea, named Joseph, who also was a disciple of Jesus. He went to Pilate and asked for the body of Jesus. Then Pilate ordered it to be given to him. And Joseph took the body and wrapped it in a clean linen shroud and laid it in his own new tomb, which he had cut in the rock. And he rolled a great stone to the entrance of the tomb and went away. (Matthew 27:57-60)

He committed no sin, neither was deceit found in his mouth. (1 Peter 2:22)

Psalm: In Full Assurance of Thy Grace (from Psalm 69) #127:1, 6, 7

Lesson Six: “He shall make many to be accounted righteous”

Isaiah 53:10; Ephesians 5:2; Hebrews 7:27; Galatians 3:27-29

Yet it was the will of the LORD to crush him; he has put him to grief; when his soul makes an offering for guilt, he shall see his offspring; he shall prolong his days; the will of the LORD shall prosper in his hand. (Isaiah 53:10)

And walk in love, as Christ loved us and gave himself up for us, a fragrant offering and sacrifice to God. (Ephesians 5:2)

He has no need, like those high priests, to offer sacrifices daily, first for his own sins and then for those of the people, since he did this once for all when he offered up himself. (Hebrews 7:27)

For as many of you as were baptized into Christ have put on Christ. There is neither Jew nor Greek, there is neither slave nor free, there is no male and female, for you are all one in Christ Jesus. And if you are Christ’s, then you are Abraham’s offspring, heirs according to promise. (Galatians 3:27-29)

* Isaiah 53:11; Romans 5:19; Luke 9:22; John 19:30

Out of the anguish of his soul he shall see and be satisfied; by his knowledge shall the righteous one, my servant, make many to be accounted righteous, and he shall bear their iniquities. (Isaiah 53:11)

For as by the one man’s disobedience the many were made sinners, so by the one man’s obedience the many will be made righteous. (Romans 5:19)
“The Son of Man must suffer many things and be rejected by the elders and chief priests and scribes, and be killed, and on the third day be raised.” (Luke 9:22)

When Jesus had received the sour wine, he said, “It is finished,” and he bowed his head and gave up his spirit. (John 19:30)

* Psalm: In Thee, O Lord, I Put My Trust (from Psalm 31) #53:1-4

Lesson Seven: “He makes intercession for the transgressors”

*Isaiah 53:12; Mark 10:45; Philippians 2:9; Hebrews 7:24-25; Psalm 31:3-5; Luke 23:44-46

Therefore I will divide him a portion with the many, and he shall divide the spoil with the strong, because he poured out his soul to death and was numbered with the transgressors; yet he bore the sin of many, and makes intercession for the transgressors. (Isaiah 53:12)

For even the Son of Man came not to be served but to serve, and to give his life as a ransom for many.” (Mark 10:45)

Therefore God has highly exalted him and bestowed on him the name that is above every name, (Philippians 2:9)

[Christ] holds his priesthood permanently, because he continues forever. Consequently, he is able to save to the uttermost those who draw near to God through him, since he always lives to make intercession for them. (Hebrews 7:24-25)

For you are my rock and my fortress; and for your name’s sake you lead me and guide me; you take me out of the net they have hidden for me, for you are my refuge. Into your hand I commit my spirit; you have redeemed me, O LORD, faithful God. (Psalm 31:3-5)

It was now about the sixth hour, and there was darkness over the whole land until the ninth hour, while the sun’s light failed. And the curtain of the temple was torn in two. Then Jesus, calling out with a loud voice, said, “Father, into your hands I commit my spirit!” And having said this he breathed his last. (Luke 23:44-46)

*Hymn: O Christ, Our Hope, Our Heart’s Desire (Latin Hymn, 7th cent.) #376:1-4

Meditation: “Into Your Hands I Commit My Spirit”

The Service of the Lord’s Supper

Closing Hymn: * O Sacred Head, Now Wounded  #355:1, 3, 4 (Bernard of Clairvaux, 12th cent.)

* Benediction: Hebrews 13:20-21

* Closing Prayer

Minister: (end of prayer) And all the people said:
People: Amen.

(Please leave in silence)

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Worship Service on Maundy Thursday and Good Friday

This worship service is based on the traditional Tenebrae, from the Latin word for “shadows” or “darkness,” a service that has been observed in the Church since the fourth century on Maundy Thursday or Good Friday.

This is a service in which the Scripture readings—and the psalms and hymns—trace the events of Christ’s passion. This year, we read through Isaiah Chapter 53, commonly called “The Suffering Servant,” then read New Testament passages that fulfill this prophecy, particularly the Passion narratives. We also read through the so-called Seven Last Words of Christ. Through this service we ponder the cost of our salvation by meditating on the depth of Christ’s suffering, his crucifixion, death and burial. Though the service ends with solemnity we know also of Sunday’s resurrection morning. Thus we may call this day Good Friday.

Historic Christian churches also include the Holy Communion in the commemoration of Maundy Thursday, when Jesus shared the Passover supper with the Twelve in the Upper Room.

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